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Sister Esther plays eclectic mix of covers

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Cover band Sister Esther includes members, from left, vocalist and bassist Leah Winslow, lead guitarist and vocalist Cody Casey, drummer and vocalist Angie O'Neil and lead vocalist and guitarist Joe Sainclair.

Sister Esther

When it came time to pick a band name, Sister Esther decided to pay homage to a woman who inspired others through music.

Joe Sainclair of Butler Township, lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist, said a former bandmate and Catholic school graduate picked the name.

"There was a nun in the church choir who played guitar, and he thought it was the coolest thing ever," he said, adding the actual Sister Esther even came to see the band play once and highly enjoyed the show. "It meant a lot to her."

The four-piece variety band got its start in 2007, covering a wide range of material from classic rock to disco to pop hits. Sainclair formed the band with his two best friends, making for a great working relationship with no band drama.

Having fun

The band's relaxed and friendly dynamic carried over to its current lineup, which still includes Sainclair, along with Angie O'Neil of Nanticoke on drums and vocals, Leah Winslow of Nanticoke on lead vocals and bass, and Cody Casey of Philadelphia on lead guitar and vocals. Members continue to have as much fun as possible on stage in between day jobs and, for Casey, college.

O'Neil, the second person to try out when the original drummer left, played in the band Midnight Rodeo. She was a clear winner, Sainclair said.

"The songs that we gave her, she had 'em down perfect," he said.

Winslow joined the three-piece group about a year later, giving Sainclair a break from the bass. She had played in a few other bands.

"They liked my bass-playing skills and the thought of adding female vocals to share the night with Joe's vocals, so they became a four-piece with me taking on bass duties and Joe switching to acoustic guitar," she said.

Casey, who grew up in Mountain Top, joined in August right after his band Midnight 45 called it quits. His band's breakup coincided with Sister Esther's lead guitarist moving on and, as Casey had filled in before, he fit right in.

"It was good timing for me," he said. "It worked out well."

Good variety

Although they already covered a wide range of genres, Casey's musical expertise helped expand the band's range, as did the fact that all four members can sing. Now they play "anything from '70s to Godsmack," O'Neil said. "Whatever we can get away with playing."

"Definitely a good variety," Casey said, and Sainclair added, "We'll do disco, rap and country in the same set."

All four also hold a fondness for classic rock legends - Sainclair is a huge fan of Paul Stanley of Kiss and O'Neil and Casey love Led Zeppelin.

"Ann Wilson of Heart is my all time favorite," Winslow said.

They're finding Northeastern Pennsylvania residents enjoy the eclectic mix - they've got a slew of shows coming up this winter from Drums to Wilkes-Barre to Scranton.

Up next: The group performs Dec. 28 at My Lower End Bar and Restaurant, 462 W. State St., Larksville. Shows in 2014 include The V Spot in Scranton Jan. 17, Beech Mountain Lakes Clubhouse in Drums Jan. 18, and the Venture Lounge in Wilkes-Barre Jan. 25.

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